TROOPS from East Lancashire were put through their paces on a gruelling assault course at their annual camp.

Members of the Fourth Battalion Queen's Lancashire Regiment took part in a variety of endurance tests at Gareloch, near Glasgow.

Nine Territorial Army teams competed in the tests over a 24-hour period in appalling weather and the rough terrain of the Scottish lowland forests.

Soldiers battled through section attacks, prisoner of war handling and fighting drills.

But the most demanding event was the assault course ... which they had to complete after running a mile carrying a jerrycan of water up a steep hill!

First prize, The Redman Trophy, was eventually won by C Company of Bury.

L Cpl Ian Pennington, 28, of Blackburn, said the event gave troops the chance to polish up their skills.

He said: "The exercises went really well and everyone enjoyed it, especially the boats, which was a new experience."

The Regiment also teamed up with soldiers from America, Germany and Belgium and were paid a visit by the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Lord Shuttleworth.

East Lancashire men who took part included Private Chris Lofthouse, of Ewood, Pte Des Webb, of Haslingden, Pte David Singleton, of Accrington and Captain Ian Townsend, of Blackburn.

On their days off, many soldiers took part in adventure training and enjoyed mountain biking, fell walking and abseiling.

Some also visited Faslane, the nuclear submarine base and toured a submarine.

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